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Finite and Infinite Games

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Finite and Infinite Games

By: James Carse
Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
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About this listen

 “There are at least two kinds of games,” states James P. Carse as he begins this extraordinary book. “One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”

Finite games are the familiar contests of everyday life; they are played in order to be won, which is when they end. But infinite games are more mysterious. Their object is not winning, but ensuring the continuation of play. The rules may change, the boundaries may change, even the participants may change—as long as the game is never allowed to come to an end.

What are infinite games? How do they affect the ways we play our finite games? What are we doing when we play—finitely or infinitely? And how can infinite games affect the ways in which we live our lives?

Carse explores these questions with stunning elegance, teasing out of his distinctions a universe of observation and insight, noting where and why and how we play, finitely and infinitely. He surveys our world—from the finite games of the playing field and playing board to the infinite games found in culture and religion—leaving all we think we know illuminated and transformed. Along the way, Carse finds new ways of understanding everything, from how an actress portrays a role to how we engage in sex, from the nature of evil to the nature of science. Finite games, he shows, may offer wealth and status, power and glory, but infinite games offer something far more subtle and far grander.

Carse has written a book rich in insight and aphorism. Already an international literary event, Finite and Infinite Games is certain to be argued about and celebrated for years to come. Reading it is the first step in learning to play the infinite game. Metaphysics Philosophy Society Game
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i did enjoy it, bit this requires attention.
some things resonated, but i will need another read or two to fully capture this book.

interesting, but not a casual read. needs

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Had to push through the heavy prose at times but came together in beautiful disturbing clarity in the final chapters.

Dense and poetic

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Great narration and I think the content was good, but it felt like it would've been better as a paperback in which you can write notes, highlight passages, etc.

Try the paperback

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A few interesting ideas, but most of it felt shallow. Wish it had been a blog post instead.

Okayish

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Would not recommend this book for someone who wants a simple read that they can listen to whilst driving. You need to ponder over things and this makes it not the best for driving in my experience

Great concept but a tedious read..

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